Spike Lee (pictured left) had an interview with Ed Gordon on "Our World With Black Enterprise" scheduled to air this weekend. In the interview, the filmmaker complained about both of Tyler Perry’s shows “Meet the Browns” and “House of Payne” and his movies, comparing them to characters from minstrel shows (hat tip: blackgirlgrown).
Mr. Lee says about Mr. Perry: “We’ve had this discussion back and forth. When John Singleton [made 'Boyz in the Hood'], people came out to see it. But when he did ‘Rosewood,’ nobody showed up. So a lot of this is on us! You vote with your pocketbook, your wallet. You vote with your time sitting in front of the idiot box, and [Tyler Perry] has a huge audience. We shouldn’t think that Tyler Perry is going to make the same film that I am going to make, or that John Singleton or my cousin Malcolm Lee [would make]. As African-Americans, we’re not one monolithic group, so there is room for all of that. But at the same time, for me, the imaging is troubling and it harkens back to ‘Amos n’ Andy.’”
More from the liberal Democratic filmmaker: “Each artist should be allowed to pursue their artistic endeavors, but I still think there is a lot of stuff out today that is coonery and buffoonery. I know it’s making a lot of money and breaking records, but we can do better.…I am a huge basketball fan, and when I watch the games on TNT, I see these two ads for these two shows (Tyler Perry’s 'Meet the Browns' and 'House of Payne'), and I am scratching my head. We got a black president, and we going back to Mantan Moreland and Sleep ‘n’ Eat?
Booker Rising response: Now, I'm hardly a Tyler Perry fan (his movies and television shows are too chitlin circuit for my taste), but I detect haterade here. When was the last time Mr. Lee made Tyler Perry money (if ever)? Maybe Mr. Lee needs to open up a television studio as Mr. Perry has done, and put out his own stuff instead of just complaining.
Spike Lee: "Tyler Perry Is No Better Than Amos 'N' Andy"
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33 comments:
Spike isn't hating in the least bit. It's pure un-adulterated coonery.Just because it sells doesn't mean it isn't bullshit.(just look @most hip hop artists in the mainstream)Hell..crack sells by the boatload...doesn't mean its good for consumption.
Ok! So if he is going to make a comment like this, then we need to look at ALL of Spike Lee's Crap and say how has he made black people rise above it?1 In my opinion and taking courses related to Spike Lee, the only film that he ever made that was worth anything was "4 Little Girls". We have to learn that the things that Mr. Perry is saying and or talking about are issues that we all see every day, but we are scared to say anything. We need to get out of this MODE of sweeping everything under the rug. I believe Tyler has done a great job and he needs to keep on Keeping on! HATERADE. Spike Lee is just upset he is not as talented and can not make a movie, play or anything as well as TP!
As an adult black male, I am not part of the target demographic for Tyler Perry's movies, therefore I am not surprised that they don't entertain me. It's also true that his television shows are perfect examples of IIA (Ignorance In Action). They are offensive by not being funny.
Given all that, Spike's comments are about Spike needing attention and sharpening his claws on another (currently more successful) artist to get it. Instead of giving interviews to anyone about anything, Spike's time would be better spent figuring out how to make better movies.
We couldn't see a Spike Lee joint without someone leaving the theatre feeling offended…so Mr. Lee slammed the doors of opportunity shut in his own face early in his career with regard to him reaching Tyler’s level. But, in all fairness: Tyler Perry (has) gotten away with and made ‘a killing’ with ‘ho-hum mellow dramatic films’, come on. The MASSES don’t like to think, you know the old saying…Tyler Perry’s films does lack any real substance beyond the funny churchy stuff…we are not going to win back any inner city neighborhoods with his films or shows. And if you look beyond his money he did followed suit with what (Flip Wilson) did, Spike ‘does’ have a point. He made it as a Black man “IN A DRESS”! Now I do, However, I feel he is currently the best Black movie director. We can go see one of his films and leave feeling that we learned at least (something)…not a lot, but something. I think Tyler Perry is just setting things up for the next new hot young Black movie writer/Director to step in and take that top spot. Who’s next!?!
Well it depends on what you are calling his taget audience.
Less we forget he doesn't just make plays or sitcoms that make people laugh, with a bit of reality in them. He makes movies that are damn good. And really better than Shelton Lee's stuff, some his movies were degrading and they offered no real solutions to the community at all.The only decent thing he had anything to do with was, Malcolm X. That other mess "Girl 6" what did that do for the community other than show you how to be a legitmate hooker and don't forget the almighty Jungle fever (which black women are still yappin' in relation to when they say our black men are running to the white woman) and then the title of his production comany says it all "40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks"
Speaking from the perspective of a young Black man, and, writer/movie director myself; I could never get comfortable enough with any of ‘Spike Lee’s Joints’ to be a fan or a follower. Not that I dislike him, but I feel that his so-called substance enriched Joints ‘were’ shallow ‘BS’. White racist wrong Blacks to this day, true, but he acts just like a racist himself: when God wants us to be humble. In my opinion ‘Spike writes like he didn’t get the girl in high school’. Also his best pieces of work weren’t even written by him. They were either someone else’s real life occurrences ‘Malcolm X and When the Levies Broke’ or ‘The Perfect Crime’ a fiction written by someone else. He was a ‘shoot first ask questions second’ soldier in a leadership position years ago. He made it by default, in my opinion, because society desperately needed a Black movie director, they took whoever was in position at the time. I give him credit for that, but that’s it. Once Blacks and Whites started trying to bridge gaps in history ‘President Obama’ for example, society didn’t have time for instigators like Spike Lee who seek to peel back old scabs with his Instigating/Joints. Spike Lee also knew that if he kept on directing his own stuff that his career would’ve been over. His box office numbers were sooo-bad!!! that only certain theaters would dared to carry him. Now, the only time we get to hear his BS opinion is at a sideshow bob events and award ceremony.
Yes, all of that may be true pertaining to Spike Lee…but Spike does share the same opinion about Tyler Perry’s work as many-many Black men; who are strong pillars in their Urban communities. These aren’t low life deadbeat dads or women beaters either. I also happen to ‘agree’ with their opinion in part. But as I stated earlier, ‘God is using Tyler Perry to open doors for the next generation of young Black movie directors’. Because Spike Lee made it harder by causing so much trouble ‘as you stated’, God is using ‘Tyler’ to show major film companies that there is major money to be made in Black movie writers/directors. YOU said YOU ARE a movie Director yourself…where can I find something you’ve done to talk about it!?!
Tyler Perry took us from the Cosby Show to House of Payne and how anyone can defend this shift is beyond me—It is similar to when hip hop shifted from positive/ pro-black message to gangster rap and found a larger audience—Hating, at times, is called for.
Tyler Perry is a con man who, if he wasn't in the film business would probably be a fur coat wearing pimp or a preacher. His works are nothing but exploitation in bright colors. The only doors he's opening is the door to more money and power so he can walk around in his all white suit like the king of the planet Angry Black Woman. Spike Lee is 100% right.
‘Serious Black men’ looking for some much needed help from movies and the Boob-tube for our Kids and Communities’ can stop ‘right now’ with turning to Tyler Perry. We can’t ‘ever’ expect anything from him that we’ll agree with. Is his work just not sitting well with ‘you’...trying real hard to like him, but there’s just this void in you when watching him? It’s because Tyler Perry’s adding to the theory “Black Women can lead and don’t really need Black men’. For every ONE Black man that he lifts up, he throws seven under the bus. Think about his characters: Serious or Ignorant...they’re ‘way off’. Hear this: My Best-friend working on Broadway told me almost ‘Seven’ years ago, that Allen Payne well-known ‘homosexual’ was snubbing people for roles that were already locked. ‘Tyler Perry’ said ‘Life Partner’ was calling in favors on his behalf. I thought it to be just another cruel ‘Gay rumor’. But now, Tyler Perry has named his first sitcom “HOUSE OF PAYNE”.
That’s exactly what I do. By pass the shows on tv. You’re very welcome. Most people don’t know the meaning of “hating on so and so”. Not agreeing or being a YES man/woman does not mean one is hating. One is simply disagreeing or expressing oneself. Only an ignorant mind puts it in the category of haterism. I’m a grown woman. Why do I need to be jealous of TP. Most women are jealous of othe women or women they know on a personal level. I like the guy, just think his writing skills can use some work. Some say when other races act a fool it’s okay, so why can’t we. Again, we still haven’t realized that we can’t do what they do and get the same respect they get. His show is successful because the characters act a darn fool. Shows like the Game, The Cosby show where we are portrayed as successful, intelligent, educated, those shows get cancelled. Tasha Mack ghetto, please. She has ghetto in her but her role on The Game portrays her also as classy, smart and a business woman. She can hang with the big boys. Ghetto no way. I don’t see her smoking crack, doing drugs, dressing tacky. She is a real character that has evolved. TP has crack mamas, 11 year olds pregnant, a son too dumb to finish college, etc… That’s real, yes, but it also is how mainstream America wants us to view ourselves. Do you realize when A Different World came on how many of our own then applied for college. Positive shows inspire us. That is why TP is doing well and The Game, A Different World, Girlfriends (successul BW), were kicked to the curb. They prefer to laugh at us, AT US, not with us. That’s not hating baby, that’s the truth. Know the difference. I have every confidence that TP will step up his game. He is still learning. That’s my opinion, call it hate if you want, but I’ll excuse the ignorance that eludes from your misunderstanding of the English language.
CHECK OUT THE BOOK: (PRAY FOR MERCY)! AT AMAZON.COM GREAT READ...I CAN'T WAIT TO READ PART II.
I've read the story, as you said, good read, thanx. I hope Prather Hawkins jr has a great career and I look forward to reading some more of his work.
I see absolutely nothing wrong with his films. He is real, and the character(s) he portrays in his work, remind me of my childhood. As a black middle age woman I am sure we all (blacks) had a "Medea" figure in our family.
Don't miss the message, because there is always one there.
Tyler Perry. The hardest working black actress in Hollywood.
It's not even a joke. His offensive black mama character has workedin movies more than half of the current real black women out there.
When was the last time anyone has seen a dramatic series of African Americans? Anyone? Instead you get Tyler Perry shucking and jiving with Sherry right behind him being the stereotypical "Sassy Black Woman with Man Issues" If you don't like that? You can be completely embarrassed by Real Housewives.
Thank you Spike Lee for what I have been complaining about for years: The dumbing down of Black Society without any help from anyone.
If you think Spike Lee is the problem? Then look in the mirror and think again.
Sure, some of Spike Lee's characters have not been the best role models for us (anyone remember Mookie?) but at least we don't have to see him every night acting the fool on TBS. Spike can get on my nerves at times, but this time I agree with him. I just wish he had spoken to Tyler in person instead of airing the dirty laundry on TV.
I agree 100% w/ Spike Lee about Tyler Perry. Its about time someone said it. He is only promoting stereotypes. Not the "madea" character because everyone knows she is a caricature. However, most others-- meet the browns, house of payne, and black educated men in his madea series are all negative stereotypes. If Tyler were a white producer/director we'd all be boycotting. Why have a double standard for a black director/producer. He has to be accountable.
I love Tyler Perry's Movies. Isn't that what it's all about if you're an artist in any field. To create something that people enjoy and at the same time teach or bring a message. That is what Tyler Perry does. I love the fact that his movies are true to life but not vulger the way a lot of present day movies are. Not everyone enjoys watching a constant stream of sex and profanity. What does that teach us? Besides, whoever said all movies now a days have to be made that way? If I could personally speak to Tyler Perry, I'd say keep up the good work. There are a lot of people out there who are enjoying and learning from his films.
You guys have got to be kidding me. Not everything that is funny to one person is expected to be funny to another. This country is in a lot of turmoil and we need something to laugh about to keep us from crying. If Spike Lee is not talking about all the garbage shows that should not be on television, why attack the black man that is showing America, that if he did it, you can do it. That is really the big picture here. It should not be black against black. I'm sure that Tyler and many others thought Spike put out some garbage, but no one said anything. They just tried to support it because it was a black director. It is wrong to attack others due to your own personal shortcomings. If you do not like it, don't watch it. That brings to mind the crab mentality. Is that what Spike has, "crabs in a bucket that don't want the others to get out"?
I happen to appreciate the message the Tyler Perry is sending. Am I his fanbase? By no stretch of the imagination but my girlfriend likes his movies and she is in his target audience. Women(All colors) and Blacks.
Spike to me is a racist in his own right no different than Al Sharpton(who also happens to criticize Tyler). I watch Spike and listen to Al and a few other black leaders and they shout words of anger and hate against those who they view Black as anything other than a COSBY. I truly hope that one day that more families can be a COSBY family in the sense of success and stronger family values. But reality sets in and we have to make the most of what we have. I have helped out in Black Community events and I can tell you that there are many Madea's out there. We all need a Madea in regards to the final message she sends. The jokes and the comments for some are over the top but the message is clear with Tyler and I can appreciate it. Like it or Hate it Tyler Perry is here to stay. If each of this movies can inspire a person to become better, learn to love stronger and be a better man then he has done exactly what he set out to do. Tyler was whipped, belittled and hated by his own father. Yet he has become a powerhouse figure and THAT IS WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT! Look up to him as a REAL MAN not a COSBY character and realize that everyone has the ability to be something greater than where they came from.
We all want some form of peace but it all starts inside the home not from a movie, a reverend or a President.
We all have our hangups with race DON'T lie to yourselves but learn to turn those hangups around and love those who love you back. Forget those who do not share your love and forgive those who forgive you.
Be Better than those who bring you down and you will have the last laugh.
So typical. We need to stop the “crabs in a bucket syndrom” that has dominated our lives and kept us ten steps behind. I see nothing wrong with Tyler Perry’s movies. Sometimes we need to laugh at out selves. There are many facets to our culture and Tyler is only portraying one aspect of our lives. Apart form the comedy, in his movies there is always a story line. I do agree with Spike to some extent and If he fells that there should be different portrayal of us on television, then he should go ahead and produce these kinds of show, it’s a free market Spike.
I pay to watch Mr. Perry's stuff. I do pay to see spike's work. Keep calling them out Spike.
It seems that most of the comments on this subject of TP are coming from men who recognized themselves in some of his characters and you don't like what you see. You should realize that, if you do see a part of someone you know or even yourself in at least one of his characters,and you don't like what you see, its up to you to change or not change. Don't hate that he has the talent to create and produce how he sees the world. If you don't like is productions,don't watch or support them. The choice is always yours.
And this to shall pass... Everyone, please get over this!!!!!!
When we think about it people what are movies and television, it's entertainment. If want to be taught life lessons that's what our parents, faith in God, teachers, or family heads are for but not entertainers or sports figures because we have to remember they are doing what they are doing to make money and entertain. If they have a positive message or project something that benificial then GREAT!! But if we condemn or chastise them for there work then we are depending on them to teach or lead us. So what if Tyler Perry makes movies that Spike Lee feels is setting black people back, millions of people go to see his movies knowing pretty much what the movie will contain. Therefore if Mr. Lee wants to chastise anyone maybe it should be the ones who are going to see this movies instead of the movie producers.
I think Spike should have put more emphasis on the fact that we as an audiance our not seeking any depth from movies to music. Most of Tyler's story lines are so predictable. I have been seeing men portrayed as black women since Flip Wilson in the seventies and its been non stop ever since
We as a people have come a long way, but still have so far to go. I am a child of the 70's and when Mr. Perry/Madea came around I noticed that every generation grew up with a black man dressing in drag, Flip Wilson, Martin, Madea, I wondered if we (a black man) could ever really be taken seriously and at face value. Not as stereotype, not an over or under-exaggerated image or what someone else thinks we are. Even the History Channel has fallen prey; for all of the history that we have contributed to this country, our biggest contribution to that network is a show called "Gangland" and u know what that's about. But why aren’t we saying anything??? Why aren't there any shows like Seinfeld, Friends or ER with an all black cast? Why are we always dancing in the intros to our shows? WHY do Frankie and Neffie have a show? I saw part of one episode and felt sick to my stomach. I heard someone say once that we have been craving steak for so long, but were given spam and act like it's a steak. I guess what that means is that we are just accepting any and everything that comes our way. We can blog and complain until the cows come home, but what are we doing about it (me included) if you want better...demand it!!! Write to the networks, Spike Lee, Tyler Perry, movie studios, BET, NAACP, your senator or congressperson and tell them what u want!!! My elders were always marching and protesting SOMETHING...why don’t we! One blogger mentioned that not many people saw Rosewood, that's because the studios DO NOT promote movies like this like they would promote a TP movie and do not release it to as many theaters for the same length of time; therefore it looks like no one wanted to see it in the first place...come on y'all wake up!!! How many of you have a Nielsen box...again numbers... our shows get cancelled because it appears that we are not watching, have any of you written a letter lauding the positive qualities of Everybody hates Chris (or whatever show you liked) and demand, not ask, that this show not be cancelled? Other "folks" have done it and other shows have been brought back. Let's all be more proactive and do our part. If you all have such strong opinions here, why don't you send it on to someone who might make a difference?
I completely agree with Spike Lee. Tyler Perry maybe successful in turning“so-so” scripts with “so-so actors” into a money industry, the fact is that this is done at the expense of black audience who dogmatically supports his shabby work.
As a parent, I am very concerned about how Tyler portrays black people in his movies. The leading male character is usually casts as a no-good dead-beat father while the leading female role is casts as a loud obnoxious single parent. Certainly this is not the way I see myself or my community at large. True, there are problems in our community, however what Tyler does is stretching it too far.
Some people commented that Lee was just jealous. Why would Spike be jealous? That is obviously not true as Spike is still regarded as the “numero uno” black director in the film industry. Spike is very successful at what he does. His movies are thought provoking, and are well regarded in the movie industry – white or black. Tyler Perry’s movies on the other hand are just fluffs and mainly cater to black audience. They may be successful but only at the expense of the very people he is supposed to uplift. Thank you Spike for speaking out! Tyler, you can make better movies; you already have the concept.
I'm not understanding what the problem is? After reading some of the stupid comments posted, it seems there are idiots out there actually looking for a "role" model on television?? OMG?! How dumb is that? When has TV and movies supposed to be role models to us and/or reflect "positive" immages of us? IT'S COMEDY. So what the show is called the HOUSE OF PAYNE? What's the significance in that? I guess all of you hated Martin Lawrence's and Will Smith's comedy TV shows too? I thought comedy is supposed to be funny? The good thing about it is since you have cable, you can change the channel without running your mouth. Please stop looking for TV/movies to show you how to live you life in a positive manner. Go Tyler, continue making great movies. Come back spike, give us some more of your work! Together brothers, let's work together! Anyone who does not like it, turn the channel and don't by a movie ticket, simple.
You know whenever you have one African American voicing his discontent for another African American and one of his suppose to be colleagues also is called Black Genocide within the Culture. Spike is a bondafide little over exagerated politically incorrect idot. I bet he doesn't even have great admiration for Our new President but yet he wants to reference him. That nappy negro doesn't even have his own look. He himself needs to take a good look in the mirror and figure out who he is because he looks just like a cornel west wanna be.
what a bunch of ween,s. oh spikey your my role model.what to believe. get a clue duhhh.
spike will say anything ,he's a spoon, likes to keep things stirred and whirrling like the discheveled racism spinning around in his head.
what happened to humor and love. get over yourselves and get a life.
It's sad that the African American community cannot respect the fact that we have families and individuals similar to the characters portrayed in The Cosby show, Martin,Crooklyn,The Browns, The Game, and House of Payne. It's also disconcerting that we cannot feel comfortable having a variety of these personalities, lifestyles, and traits depicted on screen just because we are concerned about how the American mainstream will accept us as being worthy of their respect. Do we really think that the Cosby show has made us more favorable to the mainstream community and The Browns less favorable? In that same respect our own communities as well. A movie or sitcom cannot represent an entire culture and we should not expect it to. Do you think Whites talk about whether or not shows like Scrubs, According to Jim, The Office, and Will and Grace will have a positive or negative effect on White American? I doubt it very seriously. Let us accept it all as entertainment and demonstrate that as adults we can make an intelligent decision to either watch or patronize only those shows and movies which interest us. Also, we can revere the skills of all of our talented African American writers, directors, actors, and actresses.
so, everybody have time to talk negative about everybody. you know a poet once said there is so much bad in the best of us, and so much good in the worst of us, that it behoove any of us to talk about the rest of us.......now what???????????
GOD is First in my life and will always be First...’therefore I don’t need to spread a ‘negative’ message to succeed.<span> </span>My First work is titled ‘PRAY FOR MERCY’.<span> </span>Go to Amazon.com.<span> </span>God has given me a gift to write better stories than authors spreading negative message for mainstream ‘with a <span> </span>positive messages’ EASILY.<span> </span>TO GOD BE THE GLORY. Prather Hawkins Jr.
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